Chapter Ten
Still in that go with the flow mindset, Elle decided not to question why Jeremy was here. Fate or not, the guy was in her cabin, and she was simply going to run with it.
“I found this in the car. Thought you might need it tonight,” he said, holding out her notebook.
Grabbing it from him, she blinked and fought back disappointment that he wasn’t there because he wanted to be. His gaze was steady and strong. The guy never wasted a single ounce of energy.
She needed to learn that trick.
For the past few hours, she’d been plagued with a relentless need to see him to make sure he was alright.
Several times, she’d picked up her phone to call the station to find out if he was okay, but thought better of it.
He was working and didn’t need her bugging him.
This restlessness was all new to her and stupid and unexpected, but it plagued her, nonetheless.
She’d even skipped chocolate night with the girls tonight, but she wouldn’t have been good company anyway.
“Thanks, but it could’ve waited until the morning,” she said, setting the notebook on an end table next to the door. “You didn’t have to make a special trip.”
“Yes, I did,” he said, and something in his tone had her turning to face him. His eyes were dark with the same concern running through her unchecked. “I also wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Elle blinked, a little disconcerted by how easily and effectively he disarmed her, every single time. Just when she thought she’d figured him out, he went and changed the rules.
Like now.
Gone was his impassive expression as he stepped close and lifted a hand to touch her shoulder, as if he couldn’t stop himself. “You’re shaking.”
She was dripping wet in a bikini, harboring thoughts of them both naked in the hot tub, so yeah, she shook and was not exactly okay. No. She was out of her mind. And the funny thing was, she didn’t care. Elle was tired of holding a tight rein on her control around the guy.
It was exhausting.
“Sometimes adrenaline withdrawal will do that,” he said, regarding her with a compassion she hadn’t expected.
“Nealy suggested I have some wine. So, I decided to pair it with a soak in the hot tub,” she babbled because the man’s presence sucked the smart from her brain. “That’s why I didn’t hear you. Were you knocking a long time?”
He shook his head and released her, taking with it his warmth, and she couldn’t stop the resulting shudder. His gaze narrowed because he never missed anything. “You’re cold. Go ahead, get back in the hot tub. I’ll see myself out.”
“It’s not just from the cold.”
Elle hadn’t meant to say that out loud. A hazard of stupid brain syndrome. But since there was no taking the words back, she lifted her chin and waited for his reaction.
His hair was damp from a recent shower, and he smelled good. Really good, like fresh cut cedar and sandalwood with an undertone of citrus. The blend, combined with his maleness and the fact he hadn’t shaved tonight and sported a scruffy jaw, made her knees a little wobbly.
“Is that right?”
Jeremy lifted a hand and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her shoulder, and Elle’s heart pounded hard in her chest. He was close. So incredibly close she could feel his warm breath on her temple. She’d never been so aware, so tuned in to a man’s body. Or her own.
And heaven help her…his smile should be registered as a lethal weapon. It was dangerous to her pulse and sent a wave of heat through her belly.
She loved it.
Elle cocked her head and answered truthfully, “I don’t know if it’s right, but it feels good for right now.”
He blew out a breath and his gaze turned serious. “That’s an amazing offer, Elle, but I’m not a sure thing. Relationships and my job don’t mix.”
Relationships and her curse didn’t mix, either.
She smiled. “Who said anything about a relationship? I don’t live here, remember?
I’m just visiting, so all I’m interested in with you is that feels good for right now that I mentioned.
Our chemistry promises an amazing combustion.
I just thought maybe it was worth researching while I’m in town. What do you think?”
“I think I’m very good at right now.” His voice was thrillingly low, and it upped the flame on a slow burn in her belly, spreading both north and south at the same time.
Another shudder rushed through her.
He stepped into her then, his big, warm hands on her hips causing another shudder.
Unbelievable.
She never trembled. Only with Jeremy. Her reactions to him were way out of character…and extremely alluring. She was hooked. It made her wonder just what else his touch could make her do.
Elle wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed closer, feeling especially feminine against his hot, hard body.
He inhaled and his eyes met hers, dark and hungry.
“Nice,” he said before he dipped his head and skimmed his mouth down her throat, igniting flames along each nerve ending.
His breath was warm against her skin as his lips continued to blaze a trail of heat over her shoulder, while he walked her backward until her back met the door.
Heat zinged through her as his body lined up perfectly with hers. She moaned, and the smart man wasted no time putting her open mouth to good use.
There was a difference in his kiss and his touch now. With all restraint gone, Jeremy demanded and gave with a thrilling enthusiasm that left Elle breathless and longing for more.
The feel of his warm, rough hands gliding down to her waist and hips, then back up to skim her breasts as if he needed to touch every inch, had his name falling from her lips in a hitched breath.
But she had needs too. Like touching him and trailing her hands all over his magnificent body. He felt so damn good, her insides quivered.
“You sure about this, Elle? Because now’s the time to stop me if you’re going to,” he murmured against the hollow at the base of her throat.
The man was on fire, and her knees shook at the intensity. “I’m sure,” she said, clearly and with meaning.
“Thank God. Me, too.” His voice was low and gruff, and his hands encircled her wrists, slowly sliding them up the door, holding her pinned as he nibbled her neck.
She arched against him, eliciting a rough groan from deep in his chest. Then he was kissing her again, long and thorough as he rocked against her until they needed to breathe.
Dragging in air, she met his wild gaze, pleased to know she wasn’t the only one feeling out of control. “You’re wearing too many clothes,” she stated between breaths.
Before she could tug free, he released her, drew back, and then yanked off his T-shirt one-handed. The sexy maneuver had heat flooding low in her belly.
Happy Birthday to me…
She stared at him, her mouth watering with the need to kiss and lick every delectable muscle and ridge on display before her. His hair, although it wasn’t that long, it was tousled, thanks to her roaming hands earlier, and heat darkened his eyes to a deep, brilliant blue.
Her heart skipped a beat.
The man found his way past her defenses with his silent strength, unwavering resilience, and his honest, caring heart.
..which she’d discovered only after she’d gotten past his walls.
Jeremy was her undoing, and although Elle knew she should run away as fast as possible in the opposite direction, she was too enthralled by the promise of coming undone by his hands.
It had to be epic.
Unable to keep her hands to herself any longer, she skimmed one down his muscled chest, dipping into each ridge that followed down his glorious torso, thrilled at the way his body quivered under her touch.
It made her feel empowered. The man was gorgeous and wore two uniforms. No way did he lack someone in his bed. Knowing that she got to him too went a long way to quieting her sudden shyness.
Her husband had been her only lover until their divorce.
And even afterward, it had taken her two years to spend a night with someone.
Although, it wasn’t exactly the entire night.
She hadn’t been looking for that. She’d just been lonely and had enjoyed a few hours with a bartender from a resort she’d been researching as a location for a book.
The sex was good, and she’d returned home with a smile, but no damage to her heart.
The next time had been with a doctor who’d given a workshop at a writer’s conference she attended.
That was almost two years ago, and although they’d enjoyed one another for several days, she left without looking back but hadn’t had sex since. Living vicariously through her characters had been enough…until now.
Until Jeremy.
The man brought her body to life with just a glance. Made her want things. Need things.
“What are you thinking right now?” he asked. His eyes were dark. Deliciously dark.
“That I want you,” she replied softly. “So bad.”
Before Elle could blink, Jeremy picked her up and carried her across the cabin and straight through her open bedroom door. Her pulse tripped several times before settling down. The man had her entire body sparking to life again as only he could do.
After setting her on the bed, he flicked on a lamp, then strode to her. “Now, where were we?”
Her ribs took another pounding from her out of control heartbeats. “You were about to relieve me of some want. Some bad want.”
Jeremy sat down on the mattress and reached for her, lightly grasping her upper arms before he slowly pulled her against him.
He was close. So deliciously close, Elle only had to lean forward for their lips to touch or shift a little and she could sit on his lap.
But she was giving him the lead and she was curious to see what he had planned.
He stared at her mouth, his eyes heavy-lidded and deliciously heated. A spike of desire raced to all her good parts. The easy, sure strength with which he held her against his hard chest had butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
That was new. She liked it. A lot.
Still gazing at her mouth, Jeremy flexed his jaw as if it were an effort to hold back. “What do you feel, Elle?”
“Need. Want. Like we’re about to combust,” she whispered, sliding her hands over his shoulders.
Those words were usually part of her writing vocabulary, not her reality. It was all new and wonderful and she took stock of every emotion the amazing man made her feel.
His skin was hot and body rock-hard. The potent combination made her tremble. His gaze flashed with heat, and he pulled her even closer. Pressed up against all that man, she let out a small, needy sound as desire shot to parts south.
Deep south.
“More than once,” he murmured, pressing her down until her back hit the mattress.
Leaning above her, he looked incredible—all powerful and ripped and hungry. Damn. Those fathomless eyes were heated as they stared into hers. A fierce anticipation drummed between them, driving her a little bit crazy before he finally bent to kiss her.
More than ready, she opened her mouth for him, sliding her tongue against his, thrilling at the deep, raw sound that rumbled in his chest. His hands skimmed down her sides until they found her hips and gripped tight, lining their bodies up just right again.
Instinctively, she made room for him between her legs and rocked against him.
Elle needed to feel him. All of him. With no clothes between them.
With a grunt, he broke the kiss and lifted up to lean over her on his forearms. “Trying to test my control?”
She smiled. “Yep.”
He chuckled and set his forehead to hers. “Thought so.”
The feel of all that strength and muscle touching her was amazing, and she couldn’t stop her hips from undulating again. His gaze blazed with the same need eating her up inside as he muttered a curse and pressed back with his impressive erection.
She cupped his jaw, loving the texture of his stubble against her palm. “You’re to blame.”
“Me?” A smile tugged at his lips. “How?”
“You drive me crazy.”
Trying not to panic at what she’d just revealed, Elle watched her thumb as she skimmed over his lower lip.
It’d been a while since she felt so moved.
In fact, she hadn’t really ever experienced this foundation-rocking, earth-slipping movement before.
Thanks to Jeremy Mercer, fiction was merging with reality.
It was scary and amazing.
“I give what I get,” he stated in a low, husky tone that had her insides trembling and told her he was just as unnerved.
Knowing she wasn’t alone in this uncharted rush made her feel, well, incredible. Amazing. Inexplicably grounded.
It made no sense, and yet it made total sense.
Slowly, he lowered his head and kissed her again, deep and long and thorough. The sensual kiss zapped what little brain power she had left. And…damn, he tasted hot and bold and intensely male.
“I want you too, Elle,” he murmured. “So damn much.”
“Then take me,” she whispered, pulling his head back down.
At that, he let out the sexiest damn growl before his lips devoured hers, taking what he wanted without apology. Their embrace went from aroused to wild as they both took turns on top. The feel of him still half-dressed made her feel naughty in her bikini.
Unable to wait any longer, she flipped him on his back and kissed and nipped and licked her way down the muscles and ridges of his magnificent body, making a second pass for the sheer thrill of it.
A second later, she was flat on her back again, with her wrists clamped in his hand and pressed high above her head. Apparently, he liked her hands restrained.
So did she.
Who knew?